On August 1, 2021, Jake Browning was the only quarterback available for the Minnesota Vikings’ yearly night practice.
Because of COVID issues, Kirk Cousins, Kellen Mond and Nate Stanley were all forced to stay home while the former Washington Husky took the ball under the lights.
Browning put together an excellent practice, pushing the ball downfield to his receivers for a few plays that got the crowd excited and allowing the offense — first, second and third team — to have a quality night of work.
When it was all over, the crowd cheered Browning and his teammates celebrated around him.
The next day the Vikings undrafted free agent quarterback talked about how he was developing and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said that he appreciated the way Browning sought out coaching and was trying endlessly to improve.
A few days later, the shine wore off the night practice when Browning struggled in a preseason matchup against the Denver Broncos and he was ultimately cut in favor of Mond and Sean Mannion, who was brought back to Minnesota after getting let go by Seattle.
Never would anyone have thought that Browning would someday throw for 354 yards on 32-of-37 passing in a 34-31 victory on Monday Night Football but that’s exactly what happened against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
